Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 2 – 13, 2020 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Int'l Bear Convergence
Early February 2020 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
Tour de Palm Springs
February 7 – 8, 2020 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Art Palm Springs
February 13 – 17, 2020 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 13 – 23, 2020 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
Mid-February 2020 – A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Greek Festival
Mid-February 2020 – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
Late February 2020 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
March
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
March 9 – 22, 2020 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a Premier Mandatory event on the women’s tour.
El Paseo Fashion Week
Mid-March 2020 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
Late March 2020 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
Indian Wells Arts Festival
Late March 2020 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
April
The Dinah
April 3-7, 2019 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
Opera in the Park
April 7, 2019, 1 – 4 pm – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 12-14 & April 19-21, 2019 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 26-28, 2019 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
White Party
April 26-29, 2019 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
June
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
May 31 to June 9, 2019 – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
ShortFest Film Festival
June 18-24, 2019 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
October
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 5/6, 12/13, and 19/20, 2019 – Three weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
Modernism Fall Preview
October 17-20, 2019 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowd.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 1-3, 2019 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 22-24, 2019 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
December
Robolights
Open Thanksgiving through early January – Perhaps the most unusual Christmas light display you will ever see. Created on a lot the size of four properties by artist Kenny Irwin, it’s a mash-up of holiday splendor and provocative found-art pieces. Note: While the artist ponders a new location, there will likely not be a Robolights in 2019. Stay tuned.
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
December 7, 2019 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
December 7 & 8, 2019 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.
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